PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, November 5, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Andrea Richmond, Jai Johnson, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Jim Berns (exc/arr @4:04)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Jeff Schroeder
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Dennis Osgood, Keith Back, Jim Speropulos, Mary Kaufmann, Brian Tippetts, Steve O’Malley, Gary Ingvalson, Bill Shepherd, Jeff Bluske, Bill Jung, Chad VandenLangenberg, Donna Hanson, Dale Hexom, Mike Herro, Tina Ball, Mark Paitl, George Webster, Robert Krause, Sherri Krause, Shirley Wavra, Farrel Deml, Carl Deml, Larry Jostad, Maureen Freedland, Sharon Hampson, Ray Ebert, J. Terry Hanson, Mary Powell, Reid Magney, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve minutes of October 9, 2007. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder and Berns excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to accept the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder and Berns excused.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested at this time.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000
Copies of the Highway Department check requisitions were distributed. MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to approve the following check requisitions as presented:
Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder and Berns excused.
XCEL ENERGY AIR QUALITY AND WASTE DIVERSION
Brian Tippetts and representatives from Xcel Energy, Mike Herro, Tina Ball, Mark Paitl, reviewed the recently failed dioxin test. Mike Herro noted test results in early October showed failed dioxin test. Boiler #2 failed that test; RDF usage was ceased immediately; and all appropriate officials notified. Consultants came in to find the problem, adjustments were made and it was retested a couple weeks later which passed the test at that time, and it is now up and running again.
Supervisor Maureen Freedland asked several questions with answers and comments given by Xcel Energy representatives. Highlights as follows:
· Testing was done in August. Only 2 companies do this type of testing and it can take up to two months to get the results back. Results were first received on October 3rd and DNR was notified that same day; the County was notified later that week.
· Testing is required annually by EPA who also sets the testing limits. There are three 4-hour test runs done and then take the average of those runs. Since boiler #2 was upgraded in 2002, that boiler has been tested 39 times.
· Experts were hired to look at the test results, plus looked at the boilers and the burn process; just recently installed a camera inside the boiler, and also looking at the possibility of lab error(s) made by the testing firm.
· Average cost for each test is $35,000. For the retest it cost $31,000 and to expedite the test results, it was an additional $14,000.
Supervisor Freedland commented that she is not satisfied with testing protocol as being sufficient; because of past problems, should have more frequent testing. Supervisor Geary said the County is not a regulatory agency; it’s up to EPA and DNR, though he suggested future testing results be shared with the County Administrator. Mike Herro noted Xcel Energy has the best technology relating to emission control.
Mike Herro, and Steve O’Malley concurred, suggested Xcel Energy give an annual update to the committee on the RDF plant, suggesting May of each year.
LAKE NESHONOC STATUS REPORT RE SALE OF COUNTY PROPERTY ON LAKE ROAD & NESHONOC LAKE ADDITION
Bill Shepherd reviewed, noting the committee approved a resolution that gave staff direction to gather information, conduct land surveys and get land appraisals on the County-owned land in question. Jim Speropulos distributed copies of Lake Road and Neshonoc Lake Addition land appraisals; the information included the square footage of county-owned land, including the adjacent landowner, the fair market value of the land, and cost of the appraisal and title search that was included in the total asking price. The area that is not ready to move forward with is in Shorewood as there is a question of public access.
Bill noted in order for the adjacent landowners to have docks, they need to be the riparian owners, so need to purchase the land from the County. DNR will enforce the dock rule starting in 2008. Appraisals are based on the condition of the lots; in one particular area, the lot was used as a dumping site for concrete, etc., so the cost to remove that debris has reduced the land value. There are some properties that have zoning violations, such as: one property has septic system on County property and three properties having patios and/or a fence within 75’ setback requirement. These violations need to be addressed before the sale of the property. These small parcels are not legal size lots and cannot be built on. Supervisor Richmond questioned the difference in square footage and in most cases the price was the same. Bill encouraged review of each of the appraisal documents; they can be reviewed and if anyone wishes a copy, cost is $.25/page. Supervisor Pfaff asked how long the sale price would be in effect. Bill said that is a policy decision, but suggested May 1; if beyond that date, this lake land value would most likely increase. Also noted that these parcels cannot be offered for sale to anyone else as there is no public access other than from the lake.
Noted that a parcel on Lake Road, noted as “G”, the County piece of land actually abuts a land-locked parcel which is owned by a different party than the one who actually has buildings closest to “G”; these two landowners need to work that out and that would help determine the likely party to purchase the County-owned parcel.
General agreement by committee members to authorize staff to proceed with the sale of the property as presented, except for parcel “G”.
The affected, adjacent landowners (Robert & Sherri Krause, Carl & Farrel Deml, Shirley Wavra, and Larry Jostad) made comments. Per the Krause’s, this land has been in the family for over 40 years, why now; also questioned the difference in square footage and all having the same market value. Per the Deml’s, they met with Town of Hamilton’s assessor and they have paid taxes on this lakefront property assuming it belonged to them; they feel the property should be given to the adjacent landowners; there was similar situation in Clark County in which the property was given to the adjacent landowners. S. Wavra noted she has paid property taxes for over 40 years and would like a refund. Larry Jostad wanted to know where he could leave his check (payment) as he was in agreement.
STATE BUDGET AFFECTS ON 2008 SOLID WASTE BUDGET, I.E. TIPPING FEES
Brian noted per the approved State budget that was signed on October 26th, there was a tipping fee increase of $2.10 with an effective date of November 1, 2007. The Governor had proposed $4.10/ton; the Senate had proposed an increase of $8.10/ton, and the Assembly proposed no increase; when Brian prepared his 2008 budget, he used the Governor’s figure of $4.10 with an effective date of January 1, 2008. Based on State budget approval and in order to deal with the extra state fees for the months of November and December 2007, there are two suggested options: (1) increase the fee based on the State budget effective January 1, 2008 and accrue two months of losses, or (2) increase relevant disposal fees by rounding fees to whole dollars which over time would make up the loss difference. Brian suggested the following: Xcel Energy acceptable waste at $60/ton, sanitary landfill at $66/ton and demolition landfill at $39/ton. Steve O’Malley noted comprehensive detail of fees will be reviewed at tonight’s County Board planning session.
UPDATE ON HIGHWAY SHOP ALTERNATE ENTRANCE
Dennis Osgood noted at the last meeting, the committee gave him direction to meet with the Ag Society and suggest quit claim deed to the County. The Ag Society has agreed with County provisions as long as, if the road were to be abandoned, that it goes back to the Ag Society. Corporation Counsel has noted that this can be done as a restrictive covenant on the deed. General agreement by the committee members to proceed with a resolution.
RESOLUTION RE SALE OF PROPERTY TO TOWN OF BURNS
MOTION by Johnson/Richmond to approve the resolution which authorizes the sale of said property to the Town of Burns for payment of the outstanding taxes against said parcel in the amount of $16.59. Question asked of parcel size. Noted as a small piece of land that is adjacent to Raffelson Road. The County Treasurer noted total acreage as .57; it’s a long, narrow strip along the roadway. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF BIDS FOR THE SALE OF PROPERTY
MOTION by Berns/Richmond to approve the resolution which accepts the submitted property bids as presented. (Copy of property bidders, bid amount, and minimum bid is attached.) These parcels were also noted as being very small and of no value unless to contiguous landowner; selling the parcels will assist in the mapping revision as done in the Zoning, Planning and Land Information Office. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused.
INPUT & QUESTIONS RE 2008 DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS
Copies of “Revised La Crosse County Long Range Capital Improvements” were distributed. Steve O’Malley briefly noted significant changes, many as placeholders. Also distributed a copy of unfunded “Implementation Plan/Road Projects” relating to short-term road projects (2-7 years) as well as long term road projects (10-20 years). Both of these documents will be distributed to the full County Board.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Committee Chair Spiker suggested future discussion on striping of county roads.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Pfaff/Berns to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously; Schroeder excused. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder